Automobile attachment



June 14, 1932. R F T f' 1,862,977

AUTOMOBI LE ATTACHMENT Filed* March 27, 1931 Illl l VENTOR a ATTORNEYS Patented June 14, 1932 NITED STATES ROBERT B. MUFFET'I, OF RIDGEFIELD, WASHINGTON AUTOMOBILE ATTACHIs/IENT Application filed March 27, 1931. Serial No. 525,835.

The present invention comprehends the provision of an ornamental attachment for automobiles, in the nature of a miniature aeroplane supported above the radiator in a manner to permit the plane to rise and fall while the car is in motion.

In carrying out the invention 1 contemplate a novel construction of means for supporting the areoplane for vertical movement as well as to guide the device in its movements.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel construction of means whereby the device in its entirety can be easily attached to or removed from any make of automobile as the occasion may require, and without the necessity of making any minor alterations in the machine to be equipped therewith.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of the automobile showing the invention applied.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the invention partly in section, showing it attached to a portion of the vehicle.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing how the plane is supported against rotation.

Referring to the drawing in detail 10 indicates the radiator of an automobile, and 11 the transverse rod usually employed to connect and brace the headlamps 12.

Vhile the device forming the subject matter of the present invention can be mounted on the vehicle in various ways, and to any 5 appropriate part of the machine, it is preferably supported by the transverse rod 11. For this purpose I employ a standard including a hollow tubular section 12 in which is telescopically fitted an adjustable section 13, the

latter being held fixed relatively to the section 12 in any given position through the instrumentality of a thumb screw 14. Carried by the lower end of the section 12 is a suitable clamp 15 for attaching the device to the rod 11.

Carried by the section 13 of the standard is a substantially rectangular frame including upper and lower parallel members 16 connected by end members 17, and it is of course to be' understood that this frame can vary in contour-and also in size without departing from the inventive idea. A miniature aeroplane indicated generally at 18 is supported by the end members 17 of the frame in amanner to permit the plane torise and fall while the car is in motion.

' WVhile the plane may be mounted in any suitable manner for this purpose, I preferably employ a shaft 19 which extends longitudinally, through the body of the plane, and has its opposed ends connected with sleeves 20 mounted to slide on the end members 17 of the supporting frame. lVhile the shaft 19 may be associated with the sleeves in various ways, each sleeve is preferably provided with a threaded extension 21 to receive the adjacent end of the shaft, which is formed with an enlargement 22 adapted to be clamped between the threaded extension 21 and a cap 23 slidable on the shaft and threadedly associated with the extension 21. In order to limit the vertical movement of the plane upon the end members 17 of the supporting frame, these end members are provided with collars 24: suitably spaced apart and arranged above and below each sleeve 20 as clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

In order to prevent rotation of the plane upon its shaft 19, the tail 25 of the plane has terminally connected therewith a substantially U-sha-ped element 26, the cross member of which is passed through the adjacent cap 23 forming part of the connection between the shaft 19 and one of its supporting sleeves 20.

It is obvious from the construction illustrated and described that the entire device can be quickly attached to or removed from any make of automobile, with a minimum of time and efiort, and when associated therewith the miniature aeroplane is supported to rise and fall on its supporting frame when the car is in motion. Y

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself towhat is herein shown or described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An automobile attachment'of the character described comprising a frame including opposed parallel members, a miniature aeroplane supported on said members for ver tical movement, a substantially U-shapedelement carried by the aeroplane and connected.

with one of said members for preventinglrotation of the latter with relation to the frame, and means for attaching the frame to an appropriate part of the vehicle.

2. An automobile attachment of thecharacter described comprising a frame including opposed parallel members, sleeves slidably mounted on said members, a miniature aeroplane including a longitudinally disposed shaft terminally coupled with said sleeves, whereby said aeroplane is mounted for vertical movement on said frame, a substantially U-shaped element carried by the plane and connected with one of the couplings for said shaft, to prevent rotation of the plane on said frame, and means for connecting the frameto an appropriate part of the vehicle.

3. An automobile-attachment of the character described comprisinga frame including opposed parallel members, sleeves slidablymounted on said members, a miniature aeroplane including. a longitudinally disposed shaft terminally coupled with said sleeves, wherebysaid aeroplane is mounted for vertical movement on said frame, means for preventing rotation of the aeroplane with relation to the frame and means for connecting"- the frame to an appropriate part of the vehicle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT B. MUFFETT; 

